125: Title leader Terol pulls out of Assen race

125cc World Championship leader Nico Terol will not start Saturday's Dutch TT at Assen due to tendon damage in his right hand.

Terol was already in pain prior to Friday afternoon's qualifying, after suffering a blow to his heel and a minor fracture to the little finger of his right hand in a crash during final practice

The Aspar Aprilia rider was on a potential pole lap at the very end of qualifying, when he lost the front at turn six, at 222km/h, and suffered a nasty abrasion to his already injured finger.

Terol was given anaesthetic and temporary stitches at the circuit medical centre but with damage to the tendons in his hand he has been advised to return to Barcelona for surgery.

"I am a bit disappointed, it was a strange day today," said Terol. "I had a heavy crash on slick tyres this morning and ended up with a small fracture to my finger. I was in pain this afternoon but felt okay on the bike and I was giving everything on the last lap.

"I hit the slight bend on the back straight at 222km/h and the front folded. I slid a long way and took a lot off my little finger. This is part of our job and when you find yourself in a difficult situation that is the time to show your strength.

"It was a bad abrasion and the tendon is affected so the right thing is to get it operated otherwise I would lose mobility.

"The operation will also make the recovery a little easier. It's a shame because nobody wants to be out there more than me tomorrow but going back to Barcelona for surgery is the right move."

Terol, winner of four of the six races this year, holds a 35 point lead over Jonas Folger, who also fell hard on Friday and will start Saturday's race from seventh.

Round eight of the championship, the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, takes place next weekend.

Terol was also forced to miss a race through injury last season - and ended up missing out on the title by 14 points to Marc Marquez.